Turkiye and Pakistan agree to deploy forces to Saudi Arabia under Mecca pact
Mecca defence pact activated
The Mecca Defence Alliance has been activated after Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia agreed to take collective action against threats to the kingdom.
The Pakistan Saudi Arabia defence pact allows the three countries to respond together when one member faces an attack.
The decision followed an emergency meeting of the defence and foreign ministers of the three countries in Riyadh.
The Turkiye Pakistan military deployment agreement comes as tensions continue to rise in the region.
Forces to be deployed to Saudi Arabia
Under the agreement, the three countries will provide agreed military forces and capabilities for rapid deployment.
The Saudi Arabia military deployment will be carried out under approved arrangements and according to the laws of each country.
The Pakistan Turkiye Saudi Arabia cooperation marks the first major activation of the defence agreement since it was signed on August 7.
Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman said the alliance had reaffirmed its unity and solidarity in dealing with attacks against Saudi Arabia and holy sites.
Houthi attacks raise tensions
The decision came after a fresh increase in Houthi attacks in the region.
The Houthi attacks Saudi Arabia has faced were among the developments that pushed the three countries to activate their defence arrangements.
Forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government have also launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis.
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The Saudi-backed Yemeni forces said they had retaken the Red Sea port city of Mocha and gained control of the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The Saudi-led coalition has confirmed its participation in the offensive and said 100 fighter jets are providing air support.
Houthi claims against Saudi targets
The Houthis have claimed attacks on several Saudi targets, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco refinery in Rabigh.
Riyadh has not confirmed the Houthi claims.
The latest developments have increased pressure on Saudi Arabia and its allies to strengthen regional security.
The Saudi Arabia military deployment is therefore being viewed as an important step in the new regional security arrangement.
Strong military capabilities
The Pakistan Saudi Arabia defence pact was signed alongside Turkiye as part of efforts to create a stronger regional security structure.
According to the 2026 Global Firepower Index, Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia together have nearly 1.4 million active troops, around 3,400 military aircraft, 6,000 tanks and more than 340 naval assets.
The Pakistan Turkiye Saudi Arabia alliance initially provided limited details about the military responsibilities of its members.
Further steps were later taken to establish the agreement and clarify its defence arrangements.
Pakistan had warned of activation
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier warned that the agreement could become operational if the Yemen conflict spread to Saudi Arabia.
“If there is unprovoked aggression, or a spillover of whatever is happening in Yemen into Saudi Arabia, definitely the Mecca agreement will become operational,” Asif said.
The Turkiye Pakistan military deployment now comes after the latest escalation involving Saudi Arabia.
Until now, the Mecca Defence Alliance had not taken military action.
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Regional security could change
Analysts believe the Pakistan Saudi Arabia defence pact could have a major effect on security in the region.
The Houthi attacks Saudi Arabia has faced have accelerated the development of the alliance, according to regional security experts.
The Pakistan Turkiye Saudi Arabia arrangement could now become an important part of regional defence planning.
The Saudi Arabia military deployment may also influence how the conflict develops in the coming weeks.
